17 Jun Spotlight on the Mishkan HaShofar Congregation
A unique blend of 50 people from every generation, tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping Messiah together, that’s Mishkan HaShofar Congregation. This unique congregation is a warm, vibrant community of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus who meet regularly to study the Bible and worship God the way Jesus did.
Rabbi Bobby Pristoop, a retired police officer, and his wife Herta, lead the congregation. His call to ministry came while he was in the police force. Although he had many opportunities to teach and preach in his local congregation, and God was calling him to be a missionary, he says, “I was happy on the police force and did not want to retire.” Later on, he was asked by the Chosen People Ministries to attend a new seminary program that they were starting at Biola University in California. He politely declined as it would be a financial burden.
But God had a plan. He made the way for Rabbi Bobby to receive a full scholarship to attend Biola the following year. “I retired from the police department and completed my Master of Divinity in Messianic Jewish studies.”
After working several years with Chosen People Ministries as a missionary speaking about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, God called him to plant a new Messianic Jewish Congregation. God continued to pave the way by providing exactly what they needed to move forward. “Just after God told us to plant the congregation, confirmation came through many individuals, and from nowhere, we received emails from a company that completed all the paperwork to plant a congregation. Originating from Hispanic, Asian, African, Caribbean, and European countries, the congregation follows the “Jewish culture, calendar, festival days and traditions in worship and lifestyle, except when tradition is contradictory to Holy Scriptures.” According to Rabbi Pristoop, “I have been ordained as both a Rabbi and a Pastor – which makes me a Rapstor.”
Mishkan’s heart to serve both local and global communities is evident through their food ministry and medical ministry to the working poor. They desire to change the world by providing seed money to ministries in poor and developing countries. “We support several missionaries to the Jewish people and missionaries in Mali, New Zealand, and Romania. All this from our little house congregation!” They also support the Rockville Women’s Center because as Rabbi Bobby says, “we are firmly and completely pro-life. We believe that abortion violates God’s bible and support RWC for their pro-life stand that provides free services for women and families in crisis.”
Regular services are open to the public on Saturday nights from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., and Bible study on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes prior to start times for food and fellowship. Due to COVID-19, all services are live-streamed on FaceBook at Mishkan HaShofar. All the information can be found at our Webpage www.mishkanhashofar.org. Mishkan HaShofar is located at 14125 Punch Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20906. Call 301-871-8701 for more information.